Blissfully Unaware of the Chaos the Surrounds Me

Ten Years Later . . .

The images are forever burned in my brain. It's a horrific day that will always equal the idea of vulnerability to me. Vulnerability lined with fear.

Then, in the days after, I was so proud. So damn proud of our country. How we came together. How we believed again that we were, indeed, one nation under God. 

Today I pray for those who are still affected by 9/11, in much more tangible ways than I. Wives who lost husbands. Children who lost fathers. Parents who lost sons and daughters. And the many, many servicemen and women who later lost their lives in the ongoing war against terror. And the families who mourn their loss.

Today I pray for a nation without politics. That on this one day we can set aside our differences. That we can set aside our political affiliations and fingers that point blame.

And just remember.

Special thanks to Less Cake More Frosting for the beautiful image.

Laparoscopic Assisted Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy . . .

otherwise known as, "if you are a man, you might want to stop reading this now"!

My doctor has scheduled the above-mentioned procedure for me on December 13th. I went in this morning knowing that this would be the likely outcome and (ding! ding!), I was right. I wasn't expecting him to recommend removing my ovaries, but after talking with him, I realized that it would be silly not to. I keep forming cysts, especially in my left ovary, and we already know they're not producing much (if any) hormone flow. So out they will come also.

Now I begin the process of dealing with the emotional weight of this decision. I know (I really do), that John and I are done having babies. But it's still hard for me to permanently take away that possibility. I do, however, think that it's the best thing for my body. My girly bits have been cranky since I was in my mid-twenties. I've had numerous surgeries to remove endometriosis, fibroids, cysts, etc. It's time to be done with it all.

Just bear with me while I convince my heart of the same thing! (And please, keep your cute babies away from me over the next couple of months. OR, if you have cute but cranky babies? Bring 'em by!)

Although that one ^^^ was cranky. Still loved her a ton! Shoot, bad theory on that one!

Packers, Knees, Chinese Food and Girly Bits . . .

any guesses as to how all of those items might intertwine? Let me help you out . . . 

(1) We are watching the Packers game right now. I am very amused at the various things that Halle will shout to the TV. I have no idea (coughcough) where she gets that habit from. No idea at all!

(2) Dylan's knees are all jacked up again. He took a tumble while playing football the other day and hyper-extended his right knee. So back to the Orthopedic we went. Official diagnosis? Osgood-Schlatter Disease. From the Mayo Clinic:

Osgood-Schlatter disease can cause a painful lump below the kneecap in children and adolescents experiencing growth spurts during puberty. Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs most often in children who participate in sports that involve running, jumping and swift changes of direction — such as soccer, basketball, figure skating and ballet.

While Osgood-Schlatter disease is more common in boys, the gender gap is narrowing as more girls become involved with sports. Osgood-Schlatter disease affects as many as 1 in 5 adolescent athletes. The condition usually resolves on its own, once the child's bones stop growing.

So, he should hopefully grow out of it. When he stops growing so dang fast! The plan is stretching, stretching and more stretching prior to activity. Motrin prior to major activity. Ice after activity. And heat when he's really miserable.

(3) A word to the wise . . . if you've been darn good about what you've been eating for the last two weeks, i.e., very few carbohydrates and very little grease . . . it's not a good idea to eat Chinese food on a whim. General's Chicken was a big, fat, FAIL! I was so flippin' sick last night that I may never (mark my words) be able to eat General's Chicken again.

(4) My damn girly parts just need to go. I'm headed into the Girly Part Doc in the morning to have an ultrasound to figure out what the heck is going on with my lady bits. I am already lobbying for a hysterectomy. I'm thinking early December. Just take it all out! (And then, when I freak out, can you all bring your cute Internet babies for me to hold and snuggle? Or better yet, Auntie KJ, when I lose my mind because I can't physically grow another baby, can you just have one? I'm pretty sure it's in your Sister Wife Contract!)

And I specifically opted to not include a picture of anyone's lady bits in the photo collage accompanying this post. You can thank me in whatever manner you deem appropriate for that little favor!

 P.S., as an aside (i.e., not warranting a piece of the title), I'm actually getting a neck ultrasound tomorrow as well. Double ultrasounds. Different places. Different issues. (Obviously.) Let's just say that tomorrow morning is gonna be some good times. But I have good feelings about both issues/procedures. So there.

Laborish . . .

it isn't really a word, I know. But that's how our Monday holiday felt . . . slightly laborish!

Halle had an epic playdate. The proof:

I think they had fun in there!

So I spent time cleaning up. And working on Halle's birthday party invitations. And then cleaning that up. And doing laundry. John and Dylan busted up some concrete and loaded that in the trailer, along with a boatload of rocks. John worked on homework.

See what I mean? It was kinda laborish!

Hope your labor day was a good one!

Here, There and Everywhere . . .

or so it seems! Let's see, I was in Fall River Mills last Wednesday. Then I was in Tahoe last Friday-Sunday. I was home Monday-Tuesday. I spent Wednesday-Friday in Napa. Then home Friday afternoon for a brief couple of hours. We drove up to Almanor on Friday afternoon. And then to Eagle Lake for the weekend. And home yesterday.

Holy cats! No wonder I'm tired. And the car is due for service. (Note to self!)

First, Napa. Beautiful. Busy. I may have possibly drank a bit too much. Both nights. But I don't believe that I embarrassed myself. At least, I haven't heard of anything yet. And I got to see my Shannon. Although I epically failed and didn't get a photo of us together. Only of her nametag. (Which is a funny story, but only to about three of us. So I'll leave it at that!) And this is the only photo I have of me . . . 

Proof that I was there. That I do work occasionally.

I made it home Friday afternoon in time to pack my kids up and send them with my Mom, her boyfriend, my Gram and my Aunt and Uncle. I literally saw them for an hour. I had a moment or two when I could have lost it entirely. If we didn't have reservations at Bailey Creek (Almanor), we probably would have been content to stay home! But, John convinced me to get off my butt and get moving. It was our 5th Anniversary for goodness sake . . . we couldn't stay home!

We had a mellow dinner in Chester. (My opinion of the The Red Onion Grill . . . it was so/so.) Made it to our little cottage in Bailey Creek. Opened anniversary gifts . . . or at least representative bits of them. I had some wooden art for John, made from a ring of wood cut from Graeagle, where we were married. (Thanks BG for cutting it for me!) And a mini-deck (thanks, Dad for making it for me!) to represent a load of lumber that I'll buy for us to build our backyard deck. John bought me a new kitchen table, which obviously didn't make it up the hill with us. Pictures of all to come soon!

We then got comfy and watched some of our wedding video. Which we've never done. Ever. Unseen footage! So that was really sweet. And then we went to sleep. Or something like that ;)

This was our view when we woke up on Saturday morning:

We got up and walked all around. Met with a realtor to talk about available lots. (Hey, one can always hope, right?) And then headed into Westwood for lunch. Now that one, I'd highly recommend! Yum-O! Buffalo Chips Pizza was delicious! Ironically, we both had sandwiches. (They had homemade bread! And after 10 days with little-to-no carbs, I couldn't resist!) Then we headed up the hill towards Eagle Lake. Then realized that my Mom's handwritten directions weren't a mistake. It really was 23 miles out to where the cabin was. Yikes! 

Fortunately, John and I filled the time with total hilarity. We couldn't remember what something was called, which led me to pull up Urban Dictionary on my iPhone. We then spent the next 20 miles in utter hysterics. There is some sick sh*t out there! (Sick, but funny :))

We got to the cabin (finally) and were so glad to see our kiddos! I missed them. (I'm a sucker like that!) Headed off to a community gig, where Dylan won a new fishing rod and Halle won a cute arts and crafts set. John won a soft-sided ice chest. Which came after all of buying $50 of raffle tickets, plus maybe another $20 or so. Plus $20 for a couple of hats. But God bless my husband, he was certain that we were going to win big! 

Then we headed back for a fun and delicious dinner. My Mom then proceeded to get Halle so incredibly wound up, there was no chance of her ever going to sleep. It was really probably close to midnight before she went to sleep. And the boys got up at 4:30 to go fishing. That was some good times!

(My Mom has all of the fishing and other photos. I'll have to add those later :))

After the boys got home, we headed out to the shooting range.

Isn't my boy handsome?

And speaking of handsome, well, super-hot actually . . . 

Anyway . . . we had fun! Mama needs to work on her form. It's been a long time since I've been shooting. (Although I'm still good enough that I could hit anywhere in the torso with my 38. Form aside. Just saying!)

When we got back to the cabin, there was a doe laying right next to the cabin, so the kids fed her some tomatoes. She obviously didn't get the memo that Dylan wants to go out and hunt her big brother next year, so she even ate from their hands. 

On the way home, we stopped at Lassen Drug Company, which is where I always used to go with my Gram when I was little. It was super-crowded though, so my Gram wouldn't even stay in there long enough to get a picture with my kids. She high-tailed it out of there like her butt was on fire! Sigh . . . oh well. But we did stop at the Pine Shack for shakes and cones. It wasn't a total loss :)

What an epic post, eh? All in all? I am glad to be home. Darned glad. I love my home. Bonus? I figured that with all of the traveling, I'd be up a few pounds. But I'm actually down another .5 pounds. Which isn't much, but it's going in the right direction! 12 more days until Lauren's wedding. Five more pounds down would be grand, wouldn't it? We shall see!

Napa . . .

really is an amazing place. I forget that sometimes. We definitely need visit and enjoy it more often. It's only a 2.5 hour drive, for goodness sakes!

(Nice digs, eh?)

Right now, I'm rushing through my morning. I got up at 6:00, which was actually earlier than I needed to be up. And then I dawdled. Talked to my Mom. Checked email. Worked on my presentation for tonight. Then, wham! I am running out of time!

I am currently fighting with the stupid hotel iron . . . the markings for temperature are worn off . . . which makes ironing my silk shirt and wool pants a potentially tricky situation. Wish me luck. (Or maybe I'll just go with the wrinkled look?)